2022 Participation Guide - Communities in Bloom - CIB Ontario
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Communities in Bloom
2022 Participation Guide
A Reference Guide for Participating Communities in the Ontario Edition
Enhancing green spaces in community settings
Ontario Communities In Bloo
276 Martha St, Goderich, Ontario N7A4N
quinn@hurontel.on.c
Cell 519 441 3499
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1Welcome to the Communities in Bloom Program!
Who we are
Communities in Bloom is a non-profit Canadian organization committed to fostering civic pride,
environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement and the challenge of a
national program, with focus enhancing green spaces in communities.
Established with the guidance of Britain in Bloom, Tidy Towns of Ireland and Villes et Villages Fleuris de
France, Communities in Bloom held its first edition in 1995 and 29 participating municipalities were
honoured at the first awards ceremonies on Parliament Hill. The program now includes hundreds of
communities across the country and an international challenge involving communities from the United
States, Europe and Asia allows participants to compete internationally.
The program consists of communities receiving information and being evaluated either provincially,
nationally or internationally by a volunteer jury of trained professionals on the accomplishments of
their entire community (municipal, residential, corporate and institutional sectors, citizens) on eight
key criteria: Tidiness, Environmental Action, Heritage Conservation, Urban Forestry and Trails,
Landscape, and Floral Displays.
The pride, sense of community and feeling of accomplishment generated through participation are
visible in communities all over Canada. These benefits make Communities in Bloom a program where
everyone wins. Participants can benefit from the program through community initiatives and programs,
while a valuable information exchange network allows communities to share accomplishments, best
practices and projects.
Program Benefits
Within the context of climate change and environmental concerns, communities involved in the
Communities in Bloom program can be proud of their efforts, which provide real and meaningful
environmental solutions and benefit all of society.
Communities will be able to recognize numerous benefits from participation in the Communities in
Bloom program, including:
• Green & Sustainable • Environmental Leadership: • Community Involvement
Initiatives, including environmental actions such as & Civic Pride
increased awareness of recycling, composting and water
the importance of conservation are an integral part • Citizens, groups,
horticulture and green of the program evaluation organizations, business
spaces and municipal
• Tourism Development: the government all mobilized
• Best Practices & participation in the program has and working together
Information Exchange : proven to make communities
through the website, better places to live in, to work in • Year-round projects and
comments from the judges …and to continuous improvement
and exchanges between for the entire community
communitiesProgram Criteria & Evaluation The Communities in Bloom program is based on 6 key criteria: Tidiness, Environmental Action, Heritage Conservation, Urban Forestry, Landscape, Turf & Groundcovers, Floral Displays and Community Involvement The following are descriptions of the 6 criteria: TIDINESS Tidiness includes an overall tidiness effort by the municipality, businesses, institutions and the residents throughout the community. Elements for evaluation are parks and green spaces, medians, boulevards, sidewalks, streets; municipal, commercial, institutional and residential properties; ditches, road shoulders, vacant lots, signs and buildings; weed control, litter clean-up (including cigarette butts and gum), graffiti prevention/removal and vandalism deterrent programs. ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION Environmental action includes efforts and achievement with respect to: policies, by-laws, programs and best practices, 3-R initiatives (reduce/reuse/recycle), waste reduction, composting sites, hazardous waste collections, water conservation, naturalization, and environmental stewardship activities under the guiding principles of sustainable development pertaining to green spaces. HERITAGE CONSERVATION Heritage Conservation includes efforts to preserve heritage within their community. Priority in evaluation is given to natural heritage, as well as the integration of landscape and streetscapes as it pertains to the built heritage of a community. Also consists of preservation of cultural heritage which includes monuments, memorials, artefacts, museums and history, archives, traditions, customs, festivals and celebrations. URBAN FORESTRY and Trails Urban Forestry includes the efforts with regards to written policies, by-laws, standards for tree management (selection, planting, and maintenance), long and short-term management plans, tree replacement policies, tree inventory, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), heritage, memorial and commemorative trees. LANDSCAPE This section of the evaluation supports all efforts to create an environment showcasing the overall surroundings. The overall plan and design must be suitable for the intended use and location on a year- round basis. Elements for evaluation include: native and introduced materials; balance of plants, materials and constructed elements; appropriate integration of hard surfaces and art elements, use of turf and groundcovers. Landscape design should harmonize the interests of all sectors of the community. Standards of execution and maintenance should demonstrate best practices, including quality of naturalization, use of groundcovers and wildflowers, turf management and maintenance.
Process for Participation
Communities in Bloom - Responsibilities
FLORAL DISPLAYS
"Floral Displays" evaluates efforts to design, plan, execute, and maintain floral displays of high quality
standards. Evaluation includes the design and arrangements of flowers and plants (annuals, perennials,
bulbs, ornamental grasses) in the context of originality, distribution, location, diversity and balance,
colour, and harmony. This pertains to flowerbeds, carpet bedding, containers, baskets and window
boxes.
ONTARIO CIB OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITIES
• Produce an evaluation form & provide • Communities can send in their profiles,
information on the evaluation process projects, initiatives or news along with
• Create the schedule and coordinate the community events to be posted on the
Communities in Bloom website at https://
judges’ travel to communities (in the cibontario.ca
months of July and August)
• Communities in Bloom encourages media
• Compile results of the evaluations &
coverage through press releases sent to the
provide a completed evaluation report to media contacts provided by the communities
each community following the annual
Awards Ceremonies • Participants are featured in the Communities
• Prepare informative documents and in Bloom Magazine, published 2 to 3 times a
year by the national office. The magazine
provide support to communities provides information on the program,
• Prepare for the Symposium & Awards promotes participating communities and
Ceremonies features articles of interest for the CiB
expanded network
• Communities in Bloom coordinates and
provides information to communities on
networking and promotional opportunities
• Participants have access to the Information
Exchange Network, consisting of valuable
information & documents, available on the
Leisure Information Network website (https://
cibontario.ca) Use of the Communities in
Bloom logo, according to the logo guidelines
provided by the Provincial office
• Communities have the opportunity to exhibit a
community display at the annual Symposium &
Awards Ceremonies
• Communities have the opportunity to act as a
Host city for either the Provincial or National
Awards
• Yearly promotional opportunities are available
to all participants and are detailed further in
this guideParticipating Communities - Responsibilities
Organization & Planning Communications
• Paying a registration fee determined by • Submit the community’s committee members
population and category and media contacts to the provincial office
• Involve the entire community, with the • Communities will be asked to submit a
support of municipal council, in projects; minimum of 6 quality photos to showcase
create a CiB committee with wide their community on the Ontario Communities
community representation in Bloom website and presentations at the
• Prepare for the evaluation to take place in awards ceremonies
July or August o All communities are encouraged to take
• Provide accommodation for two nights for the best quality photos possible. Think of
two judges. the 6 criteria and try to capture a unique
shot depicting each one. Think of photos
• Submit the accommodation details of the that show the benefits of the
judges to the Provincial office program Communities in Bloom program, i.e.
coordinator community, beautification, tourism shots
etc.
• Make note of the due dates for requested o Photographs need to be submitted in the
information (such as photos, media following format: digital, minimum of 300
contacts, accommodation of the judges), so dpi at print size (min. 4” x 6”).
planning and promotion for your community
can be coordinated by the national office. o
o Please ensure you have the appropriate
Due date guidelines can be found on the
releases, rights and permission to use the
final page of this guide
photos and clearly indicate photo credits
• Communicate with the judges prior to their when applicable
visit.
• Submit an itinerary to the coordinating
judge ahead of the judges’ visit
• Give recognition, when appropriate, to the
sponsorsProcess for Participation continued
Special Projects
Each year Communities in Bloom and its partners offer new promotional opportunities to its
participants. The national office sends out detailed information to communities as initiatives unfold
throughout the program. Here are some of the exciting opportunities to look out for:
Home Hardware Dealer Involvement Contest: The goal of this contest is to learn more about the
initiatives of Home Hardware and their local committees. (www.homehardware.ca)
2018 Home Hardware Charity Calendar: The Home Hardware Charity Calendar is a fundraiser for the
SickKids Foundation (www.sickkidsfoundation.com). The 2017 Home Hardware calendar will be
distributed in 450,000 copies throughout over 1,000 of its stores. All calendars are purchased by Home
Hardware dealers and distributed in their stores. In addition, money is also raised by soliciting Vendor
sponsorship.
Scotts Miracle-Gro Garden Contest: The contest celebrates outstanding residential gardens (flower
garden, edible garden and child-run edible garden). (www.scotts.ca)
GRO1000 Grassroots Grants: The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company has established GRO1000, a
commitment to install 1,000 gardens and green spaces in the United States, Canada and Europe by
2018. To help foster the development of gardens and green spaces in Canada as part of GRO1000, The
Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is awarding Grassroots Grants to local communities in the amount of up to
$1,500. (www.grogood.com/GiveBackToGro/GRO1000/Canada)
GRO1000 Showcase Garden Grant: In addition to the GRO1000 Grassroots Grants, Scotts Canada
Limited will invite some outstanding communities to apply for the 2013 Showcase Garden grant. The
recipient for the 2013 Showcase Garden grant was awarded to the Sarnia Goodwill One Tomato
Community Garden project, Sarnia Ontario. (www.scotts.ca)
CN EcoConnexions – From the Ground Up: A program that aims to promote the greening of municipal
properties across Canada. (www.cnfromthegroundup.ca)
VIA Rail’s Canada’s Garden Route: Canada’s Garden Route is not a ‘route’ per se, instead, it is the
most comprehensive compendium of Canadian gardens and garden experiences.
(www.canadasgardenroute.ca)
Garden of Remembrance: New in 2013, the program will aim to encourage communities to develop
gardens to honor veterans and recognize the sacrifices made by their families.
National Promotional initiatives
Information Exchange Network: Consists of valuable information and documents gathered by the
judges and made available to all communities. (www.lin.ca/communities-in-bloom)
NewsComm: This section of the CiB website contains news, initiatives, and successful stories that are
sent to us from CiB participants. (http://www.communitiesinbloom.ca/newscomm)
Explore Our Communities encourages community tourism development, information exchange,
networking opportunities, training sessions and workshops in participating communities. (http://
www.communitiesinbloom.ca/explore-our-communitie)
CiB Magazine: Opportunity of providing an article that showcases an initiative, a special project or an
achievement within your community.
Exhibits and presentations during the Symposium and Awards Ceremonies.
Social Media: Community exposure on the CiB Facebook and Twitter page.
(www.facebook.com/communitiesinbloom; www.twitter.com/cibcef)
Articles and features in magazines such as the Municipal World magazine.Process for Participation continued
Outstanding Achievement Awards
In addition to overall awards for population categories, individual awards are given for each criteria,
evaluated in the program and for special initiatives. Outstanding Achievement awards are open to all
communities participating in the 2022 Ontario Edition of Communities in Bloom, whether or not the
community is being evaluated.
Provincial Judges will submit nominations for the Outstanding Achievement Awards.
Outstanding Achievement Awards are presented for the following areas:
Tidiness
Environmental Action
Heritage Conservation
Urban Forestry and Trails
Landscape
Floral DisplaysProcess for Participation continued
How communities are evaluated
The evaluation form is based on 6 criteria, that focus on 4 sectors of the community. The 6 sections
are Tidiness, Environmental Action, Heritage Conservation, Urban Forestry and Trails, Landscape &
Floral Displays. Turf & Groundcovers has been incorporated into the Landscape section, while
Community Involvement, recognized as such as a major component of the overall program, is now one
of the 4 sectors of evaluation (along with Municipal, Business & Institutional and Residential).
The Communities in Bloom Judges
Evaluation Form • The final evaluation form will • Judges should have the
• Communities are evaluated be forwarded to the opportunity to visit a
using an evaluation form based community following the good cross section of the
on the 6 program criteria, Awards Ceremonies community and meet
divided in 4 sections with those involved in
• Evaluation forms are
• The evaluation form is sent to the community
confidential – we do not make
the communities early in the the scores or the forms public • The Communities in
program Bloom / local committee
• The judges complete the Evaluation Process is responsible for
evaluation form after visiting • After the judging dates are providing the judges
the community and will provide established the community is with the proposed
general comments and notified and given the names itinerary and the
suggestions that will benefit the of the judges, their community profile book
community as it moves forward biographies and contact well in advance of their
in the Communities in Bloom information visit for review.
program
• We make every attempt to Evaluated Categories
• Communities will be evaluated accommodate requested • Competitive Categories
using a “bloom” rating dates, though it is not always are determined by
determined by the total score of possible due to schedules and population. The
the evaluation: distance between population categories
0 to 55 % = 1 Bloom communities may change slightly
56 to 63 % = 2 Blooms
• The Head judge will contact every year, depending on
64 to 72 % = 3 Blooms
you with the arrival and registrations
73 to 81 % = 4 Blooms
82 % and over = 5 Blooms departure times of the judges • The Friend Category is
• Judges will normally arrive in available for a small fee
• For competitive categories, the
the morning, stay nights and which enables the
judges will come to a consensus
depart the third morning community to have
on the winning community
access to all CIB
based on highest total score
resources while not
being evaluated.
The Communities in Bloom volunteer judges are professionals (active or retired) in the fields of
horticulture, the environment, sustainability, community development, education, parks management,
urban management and other related fields. Judges are aware of the various challenges communities
face and are knowledgeable of the solutions. They are also aware of both the municipal and grassroots
involvement required for community participation.
The judges are volunteers who dedicate their time to the Communities in Bloom program, visiting
communities across Ontario to evaluate and advise communities, providing support and feedback in
order to help communities succeed. Judges are paired in order to complement each other’s skill sets so
the community may get the most out of the evaluation experience. The Provincial office will ask
communities to provide feedback on the judges and program following the evaluation date so that we
can continually improve our program.
Evaluation:Process for Participation continued Tips for success!
Process for Participation continued
Community Profile Book (for communities that are being evaluated)
Recommended Requirements for Community Profile Book (CPB)
The CPB is a document that showcases communities’ achievements in the Communities in Bloom
program as well as provides information on all its related initiatives.
The design and comprehensiveness is at the full discretion of the community.
And…It is important to note that the CPB is not itself evaluated but is a tool for the judges as it
provides information on the community’s achievements. The document can also be a promotional
tool for the community.
The CPB should be submitted to the judges prior to the visit in order to allow them time to become
familiar with your community.
1) Please mail or e-mail your CPB to the Provincial Office. (*Note: Digital format is preferred)
MAIL:
Ontario Communities in Bloom
276 Martha Street, Goderich, Ontario, N7A 4N1
or
EMAIL to info@cibontario.ca
2) Please contact your judges for preferred submission timing and method.
Help the judges prepare for their visit by including additional information, such as:
• an itinerary and a list of committee members, sponsors, partners and involved organizations
• the names of the people who will be part of the evaluation tour
• the municipal information form
The CPB can be complemented with separate documentation that includes prints, photos and
newspaper clippings, brochures, fliers and other information pertaining to the CIB program.
Finally, if a community has the resources it can undertake a more detailed and comprehensive CPB
that it can use as information for citizens and a promotional "tool" for its Community.
The design and comprehensiveness is at the full discretion of the community.
Communities in Bloom logo CIB logo specifications CIB National “Bloom Rating”National Symposium on Parks & Grounds and
Awards Ceremonies
Each Year, Provincial and National Awards Ceremonies, as well as the National Symposium on Parks &
Grounds, offer a unique opportunity for participants to network with colleagues, share valuable
information, learn from experts and celebrate achievements.
The mission of the National Symposium on Parks and Grounds is to educate, inform, and share Best
Practices, addressing new and specialized topics within the purview of the Communities in Bloom
program. Through both presentations and technical visits in the local community, delegates learn from
the engaging and multifaceted symposium sessions while networking with peers.
The National Awards Ceremonies, hosted in a different location every year, is held in the fall in
conjunction with the National Symposium on Parks and Grounds. The Awards Ceremonies are exciting
events that highlight the achievements of participants in the Communities in Bloom program. The
winners of each population category, national and international finalists, are announced along with
their bloom-ratings and special mentions. Outstanding Achievement and Special Awards are also
presented to communities excelling in particular areas.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVOLVEMENT
“Within the context of climate change and environmental
concerns, communities involved in the Communities in Bloom
program can be proud of their efforts, which provide real and
meaningful environmental solutions and benefit all of society.”COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM IS MADE POSSIBLE BY
The commitment of local, provincial and national volunteers
The support of elected officials and of staff in municipalities
The dedication of our judges, staff and organizations
The contribution of our sponsors and partnersYou can also read
